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Shop King Jewelers 2013 Valentine's Day Jewelry Sale for Savings on Unique Valentine's Gifts & Valentine's Day Presents for Men and Women

For Valentine's Day 2013 King Jewelers is offering special savings on an exclusive selection of fine jewelry, watches, diamond studs, diamond pendants and fashion accessories that is sure to make locating the ideal Valentine's Day gift stress free.




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Bruegger's Bagels Celebrates 30 Years of Fresh-Baked Bagels

Bakery to commemorate milestone with nationwide celebration for guests on Feb. 7.




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Weldons Welcomes a Very Interesting Antique Irish Silver Salver

Mr Garrett Weldon of Weldons jewelers Dublin announced a new arrival in stock of a very interesting antique Irish silver salver, made in Dublin circa 1740, by Samuel Walker.




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Attend the American Craft Council Show in Atlanta and Stay at Nearby Holiday Inn Express Perimeter Mall Hotel

Holiday Inn Express & Suites N-Atlanta Perimeter Mall hotel offers convenient lodging to guests attending the American Craft Council Show at Cobb Galleria Centre from March 15-17, 2013.




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Online Pawnshop PawnUp.com is Increasing their List of Accepted Items - Again

Online pawn shop PawnUp.com made another announcement about increasing their list of accepted items. This positive move is aimed at letting more people cash in on their valuables in 2013.




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Nashville's King Jewelers Launches Exclusive Diamond Extravaganza Event

After last year's popular Nashville Diamond Week, King Jewelers has opted to dedicate the entire month of April to diamonds and diamond jewelry. Nashville clients can benefit from discounts, gift card offers and a chance to win a special gift package




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The Battenshield Fast-Action Door Barricade System

Don't you miss last year, when we were killing each other with weapons rather than airborne droplets? When mass shootings and home invasions dominated the news, a company called Battenshield rolled out their design for a virtually unbreakable door barricade.

It's not the greatest-looking thing in the world, but I will say the functionality of the design is clever, along with half of the installation. The system with the battens simply hangs on the door.

What I'd worry more about is the ability of the average homeowner to install the brackets (particularly over trim with a wavy cross-section) and get the lags driven into the studs.

Interestingly enough, the system was designed by a former SWAT officer whose role was, you guessed it, the "entry team member" who breaches doors.




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Hands-Free, Reusable Shoe Covers that Automatically Wrap Around Your Feet When You Step On Them

For tradespeople, farmers and others who frequently need to cover and uncover their shoes (to protect interior surfaces from mud or worse), disposable booties are an unsustainable solution. They're also a pain to take on and off. This reusable and automatically-wrapping design seems much better:

I've been searching for something like this for a long time. On our free-range farm, I inevitably step in the shit of some animal on a daily basis, and pulling my boots off and on every time I need to go back inside to retrieve something gets old.

However, these wouldn't 100% work for my application. While getting them on looks easy, getting them off requires a fair amount of manual manipulation…

…meaning every time I removed these, I'd wind up with animal feces on my hands.

Question for you: How do you reckon these work? I figure inside the fabric is a polypropylene sheet molded into a sprung shape, with raised tunnel-like seams serving as hinges, and when you collapse the tunnels by stepping on them, the spring action is released. [Edit: I believe reader Kyle Lamson has figured it out. See his comment below.]

(Lastly, I was not able to find what company or designer invented these. There are tons of variants on the market. It's possible they were invented by a fellow named Joel Fersaci, whose Step in Sock model is featured in the video above.)




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Bushfire hazard reduction burn – Tugun Hill Conservation Area

Streets/area affected: Tugun Hill Conservation Area eastern portions, Taperell Drive, Tugun

Region:

Category:

Date: 
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 - 17:00 to Friday, July 19, 2019 - 05:00
planned: 
1
Read more: 

Start: Wednesday 17th July 2019 (weather permitting)
End:  Thursday 18th July 2019 (weather permitting)
Duration: Two days

In partnership with Queensland Fire & Emergency Service, the City will door knock residents adjoining burn locations to provide information regarding bushfire protection and preparedness leading into this year’s fire season. Minimal disruption to residents is expected.Residents with health issues associated with smoke are encouraged to contact the City’s Natural Areas Management Unit on 07 5581 6984.

For more information on the scheduled hazard reduction burn program, visit the Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade Group website.




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Bushfire hazard reduction burn – Pacific Pines Parklands

Start: 8.00am, Tuesday 23 July (weather permitting)
End:  5.00pm, Friday 26 July
Duration:  Four days

In partnership with Queensland Fire & Emergency Service, the City will door knock residents adjoining burn locations to provide information regarding bushfire protection and preparedness leading into this year’s fire season. Minimal disruption to residents is expected. Residents with health issues associated with smoke are encouraged to contact the City’s Natural Areas Management Unit on 07 5581 6984.

For more information on the scheduled hazard reduction burn program, visit the Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade Group website.

Region:

Category:

Date: 
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 - 18:00 to Saturday, July 27, 2019 - 03:00
planned: 
1




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Bushfire hazard reduction burn – Production Ave Reserve, Molendina

Production Ave Reserve, 10A Production Avenue, Molendina

Region:

Category:

Date: 
Tuesday, July 30, 2019 - 17:00 to Wednesday, July 31, 2019 - 03:00
planned: 
1
Read more: 

Start: 7.00am, Tuesday 30 July (weather permitting)
End:  5.00pm, Tuesday 30 July
Duration: 1 day
In partnership with Queensland Fire & Emergency Service, the City will door knock residents adjoining burn locations to provide information regarding bushfire protection and preparedness leading into this year’s fire season. Minimal disruption to residents is expected.Residents with health issues associated with smoke are encouraged to contact the City’s Natural Areas Management Unit on 07 5581 6984.

For more information on the scheduled hazard reduction burn program, visit the Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade Group website.




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Bushfire hazard reduction burn – Wongawallan Conservation Area

Streets/area affected: Lanes Road, Wongawallan

Region:

Category:

Date: 
Saturday, August 3, 2019 - 09:58 to Thursday, August 8, 2019 - 09:58
planned: 
1
Read more: 

Start <time/date>: 7:00am, Saturday 3rd August (weather permitting)
End <time/date>:  5:00pm, Wednesday 7th August
Duration:   Five days

In partnership with Queensland Fire & Emergency Service, the City will door knock residents adjoining burn locations to provide information regarding bushfire protection and preparedness leading into this year’s fire season. Minimal disruption to residents is expected.Residents with health issues associated with smoke are encouraged to contact the City’s Natural Areas Management Unit on 07 5581 6984.

For more information on the scheduled hazard reduction burn program, visit the Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade Group website.




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Bushfire hazard reduction burn – Tourmaline Reserve Reedy Creek

Streets/area affected: Tourmaline Reserve, Lot 913 Worchester Terrace, Reedy Creek

Region:

Category:

Date: 
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - 18:00 to Saturday, August 17, 2019 - 03:00
planned: 
1
Read more: 

Start: 8.00am, Wednesday 14 August (weather permitting)
End: 5.00pm, Friday 16 August (weather permitting)
Duration: Three days

In partnership with Queensland Fire & Emergency Service, the City will door knock residents adjoining burn locations to provide information regarding bushfire protection and preparedness leading into this year’s fire season. Minimal disruption to residents is expected.Residents with health issues associated with smoke are encouraged to contact the City’s Natural Areas Management Unit on 07 5581 6984.

For more information on the scheduled hazard reduction burn program, visit the Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade Group website.




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Bushfire hazard reduction burn - Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area

North western portion of Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area, Lot 201 Shelter Road Coombabah (opposite Myola Court)

Region:

Category:

Date: 
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 - 19:00 to Friday, August 30, 2019 - 03:00
planned: 
1
Read more: 

Start <time/date>: 9am, Tuesday 27 August 2019 (weather permitting)
End <time/date>:  5pm, Thursday 28 August 2019
Duration:  Three days

In partnership with Queensland Fire & Emergency Service, the City will door knock residents adjoining burn locations to provide information regarding bushfire protection and preparedness leading into this year’s fire season. Minimal disruption to residents is expected.Residents with health issues associated with smoke are encouraged to contact the City’s Natural Areas Management Unit on 07 5581 6984.

For more information on the scheduled hazard reduction burn program, visit the Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade Group website.




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Bushfire hazard reduction burn – King Parrot Reserve, Clagiraba

King Parrot Reserve, 328 Henri Robert Drive, Clagiraba

Region:

Category:

Date: 
Monday, September 2, 2019 - 19:00 to Saturday, September 7, 2019 - 03:00
planned: 
1
Read more: 

Start: 9:00am, Monday 2 September (weather permitting)
End: 5:00pm, Friday 6 September
Duration: 5 days




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Dhaka slashes GDP to 11-year low of 5.2% for 2019-20




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Sports fashion brand Bjorn Bjorg selects Centric PLM suite




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COVID-19 puts sustainable fashion at crossroads: Report




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Lyst Index for Q1 shows impact of virus on shopping habits




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Italian fashion industry ready for resurrection




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Bangladesh apparel exports down 5.53% in July-Feb FY20




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Vishal Fabrics partially resumes manufacturing in Gujarat




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David Hartley Speaking on Cybersecurity Panel at CIO Executive Leadership Summit

David E. Hartley, CPA, CISA, partner and Director + Advisory Services, is speaking on a cybersecurity panel at the 2019 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit on Thursday, October 3. The summit, Future State 2025 – Driving the Digital Roadmap… Read More

The post David Hartley Speaking on Cybersecurity Panel at CIO Executive Leadership Summit appeared first on Anders CPAs.




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IRS Delays Tax Season Due to Shutdown

Because of the government shutdown, the start of the 2014 tax season, which was scheduled for January 21, will be delayed by one to two weeks. This announcement was made by the IRS, they expect to start accepting and processing… Read More

The post IRS Delays Tax Season Due to Shutdown appeared first on Anders CPAs.




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Proactive Plays Make for a Winning Relationship with the St. Louis Surge

The Situation The St. Louis Surge is St. Louis, Missouri’s professional women’s basketball team. In 2019, the team begins its eighth season with five Regional Championships and two National Championships under its belt. Suffice it to say that the Owner and General Manager, Khalia Collier, who purchased the elite team in 2011, commits herself 110% to success.  A...

The post Proactive Plays Make for a Winning Relationship with the St. Louis Surge appeared first on Anders CPA.




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Trump and Pence should go into self-quarantine for the next 2 weeks — according to the government's own coronavirus guidelines

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

  • More than a dozen people who may work near President Trump and Vice President Pence have tested positive for the coronavirus this week.
  • On Friday, Pence's press secretary Katie Miller tested positive for the virus. Eleven Secret Service agents have also tested positive for COVID-19, along with one of President Trump's valets. Ivanka Trump's assistant has also caught the coronavirus, but that person has been working remotely for weeks. 
  • Because the virus spreads easily when people are in close contact, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges anyone who's been exposed to someone who's caught the coronavirus to stay home for 14 days.
  • FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, who worked with Miller recently, said he'll stay home for the next two weeks, but the President and Vice President remain out and about. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The coronavirus arrived at the White House this week.

Vice President Mike Pence's Press Secretary, Katie Miller, tested positive for the virus on Friday

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

See Also:




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Photos show how the world is readapting to socially-distanced life during the coronavirus pandemic, from plastic table barriers to taped-up urinals

Jorge Silva/Reuters

  • As some countries have started to lift their lockdown measures, public places have been making changes to adapt to government-issued social distancing measures. 
  • More public places are using tape, floor markers and plastic dividers to help people comply with social distancing guidelines. 
  • Photos show how people are trying to adapt to a new way of life during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

As some countries begin to lift their coronavirus lockdown measures, public places have been getting creative to adjust to social distancing guidelines.

From waiters wearing personal protective equipment to schools using plastic dividers between children, these photos show the world is adjusting to life under the coronavirus pandemic.

As countries begin to slowly lift their lockdown measures, many changes have to be made to public life in an effort to prevent second waves of COVID-19.



One of the places that have to adapt the most is restaurants. Some have been coming up with creative ways to enforce social distancing measures, including putting up dividers on tables.

Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

But in some places, a plastic divider is not enough. Diners in this Bangkok restaurant, for example, have been asked to sit diagonally from each other to maximize their distance.

Jorge Silva/Reuters


See the rest of the story at Business Insider

See Also:

SEE ALSO: LA's skies are smog-free and peacocks are roaming the streets of Dubai. Photos show how nature has returned to cities shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.




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The Polaris Slingshot is a car-motorcycle mashup that costs $33,000 and can do 0-60 mph in 5 seconds — on 3 wheels.

Matthew DeBord/Insider

  • I tested a roughly $33,000 Polaris Slingshot R, a three-wheeled "autocycle."
  • The three-wheeler category includes vehicles from Can-Am and Harley-Davidson, offering a motorcycle experience in a less demanding package.
  • My Slingshot R had a new, Polaris-developed, 203-horsepower engine and an automatic transmission.
  • In all but three US states, no motorcycle license is required to operate the Slingshot (New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska continue to require the motorcycle certification).
  • The Slingshot is insanely fun, with a modest learning curve — it's a great alternative to a two-wheeler, although the price is definitely steep for the Slingshot R.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Motorcycles are cool, but they aren't for everybody. Fortunately, there are some alternatives out there that offer an equally compelling, open-air experience.

One of the most popular is the the Polaris Slingshot, manufactured by the Minnesota-based powersports company. Until recently, Slingshots were available only with manual transmissions and GM-sourced engines, but for 2020, Polaris has updated the autocycle with an in-house motor and an automatic.

The automatic transmission in particular really broadens the Slingshot's potential. So I was excited to sample the machine, which I first saw about five years ago.

Polaris was kind enough to loan me a tester for a few weeks. Here's how it went:

The Polaris Slingshot is a three-wheeled autocycle/motorcycle that Polaris industries has produced since 2014. My 2020 Slingshot R tester cost about $33,000 and was outfitted in a menacing red-and-black paint job.

Matthew DeBord/Insider

The cheapest Slingshot is about $20,000.



This wasn't my first crack at a Slingshot. Polaris brought the vehicle to Insider's New York offices when the vehicle first launched.



And I generally have a gander at the Slingshot when I visit the annual New York motorcycle show.




See the rest of the story at Business Insider

See Also:

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!




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The difference between antibody and antigen tests for the coronavirus: Who should get them and what do they do?

Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via Getty Images

  • Diagnostic or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are currently being used to diagnose patients with COVID-19.

  • Antibody tests allow for more accurate tracking of the spread of the coronavirus. People who test positive for coronavirus antibodies can also donate plasma.
  • Antigen testing is not on the market yet, but Massachusetts-based E25Bio is among several companies seeking FDA approval for at-home test kits.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With new information released all the time, it can be difficult to keep track of how doctors are testing for the coronavirus. 

While identifying and treating infected patients is critical, some tests add to our greater understanding of the pandemic's size, impact, and direction. Here is a breakdown of the differences between diagnostic, antibody, and antigen testing.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NOW WATCH: 'I'm not going to sit up here and pretend like it's a joke': 3 coronavirus patients share their stories from quarantine

See Also:




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Elon Musk says Tesla will 'immediately' leave California after coronavirus shutdowns forced the company to close its main car factory (TSLA)

Reuters

  • Elon Musk says Tesla may leave its Palo Alto headquarters and Fremont, California factory. 
  • In a tweet Saturday morning, the chief executive continued his outrage against shelter-in-place orders that have forced most non-essential businesses to close. 
  • Last week, Musk likened the rules to fascism, and urged leaders to "give people their goddamn freedom back." 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

After a week of decrying coronavirus shelter-in-place orders that have left Tesla's main factory shuttered and unable to produce vehicles, Elon Musk says the company may move its factory out of the state.

"Tesla is filing a lawsuit against Alameda County immediately," the chief executive said on Twitter Saturday morning. "The unelected & ignorant 'Interim Health Officer' of Alameda is acting contrary to the Governor, the President, our Constitutional freedoms & just plain common sense!"

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NOW WATCH: How waste is dealt with on the world's largest cruise ship

See Also:




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THE PAYMENTS ECOSYSTEM: The biggest shifts and trends driving short- and long-term growth and shaping the future of the industry

Business Insider Intelligence

The power dynamics in the payments industry are changing as businesses and consumers shift dollars from cash and checks to digital payment methods. Cards dominate the in-store retail channel, but mobile wallets like Apple Pay are seeing a rapid uptick in usage.

At the same time, e-commerce will chip away at brick-and-mortar retail as smartphones attract a rising share of digital shopping. Digital peer-to-peer (P2P) apps are supplanting cash in the day-to-day lives of users across generations as they become more appealing and useful than ever.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

See Also:




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NECA and CFMA Co-Host Cash Flow Amid COVID-19 Webinar Next Tuesday, 4/14

More contractors go bankrupt due to cash flow than they do because of profitability. Given the unprecedented events of COVID-19, the construction industry is particularly prone to major cash flow issues that could easily bankrupt your business. During this webinar session we will address critical cash flow considerations. This webinar is co-hosted by NECA and the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). The presenter is Michael McLin, Managing Director at Maxim Consulting Group responsible for leading several service line teams within the firm.




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U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance for Respiratory Protection During N95 Shortage Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 facepiece respirators (N95 FFRs). This is the latest step to ensure availability of respirators. More information at the USDOL website.




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U.S. Department of Labor Announces OSHA Interim Enforcement Response Plan to Protect Workers during the Coronavirus Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling coronavirus-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports.




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EA opts for digital EA Play Live show instead of its usual E3-ish event

EA is taking its usual E3-adjacent festivities online through EA Play Live, set to be held during the gap in mid-June left by E3†™s COVID-19-driven cancellation. ...




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Charitable Giving is Down Following Tax Reform: How Not-for-Profits Should React

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly changed the tax benefits of donating to your favorite charity starting in 2018. Now that we’ve seen a full year with the new provisions, not-for-profit organizations are taking a look at the… Read More

The post Charitable Giving is Down Following Tax Reform: How Not-for-Profits Should React appeared first on Anders CPAs.




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Video: How Supercell designed the Clash of Clans Battle Pass

In this GDC 2020 virtual talk Supercell's Eino Joas discusses the two-year process that led to the development of a Battle Pass for Clash of Clans. ...




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Finnish studio Dazzle Rocks nets $6.8 million to build social sandbox MMO

Finnish mobile studio Dazzle Rocks has secured $6.8 million in Series A funding to boost development on its unnamed social sandbox MMO. ...




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385- Shade

Journalist Sam Bloch used to live in Los Angeles. And while lots of people move to LA for the sun and the hot temperatures, Bloch noticed a real dark side to this idyllic weather: in many neighborhoods of the city, there's almost no shade. Shade can literally be a matter of life and death. Los Angeles, like most cities around the world, is heating up. And in dry, arid environments like LA, shade is perhaps the most important factor influencing human comfort. Without shade, the chance of mortality, illness, and heatstroke can go way up.

Shade




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398- Unsheltered in Place

99% Invisible producer Katie Mingle had already been working on a series about unhoused people in the Bay Area for over a year when the current pandemic began to unfold. Suddenly, this vulnerable demographic was cast into the spotlight due to the virulent spread of COVID-19. It is clear from the data that this virus is hitting black and poor communities the hardest. COVID-19 has made American society’s racial and wealth inequities even more obvious. The disease is most dangerous to older and immunocompromised people, two groups to which those experiencing homelessness disproportionately belong.

Plus, hotels have long been used as crucial infrastructure during disasters. Now they’re being used to help fight the pandemic.

Unsheltered in Place




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10 Tips for Managing Cash Flow in a Crisis

During the boom times of recent years, businesses concentrated on growing the top line and managing costs, and not as much time focused on working capital components, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable and inventory. Now with financial strain on businesses as a result of COVID-19, business owners and leadership teams need to not only...

The post 10 Tips for Managing Cash Flow in a Crisis appeared first on Anders CPA.




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NECA Legislative Top Three 3/6/20: Congress Looks to Modernize National Apprenticeship Act

1. Hearing Held to Reauthorize the National Apprenticeship Act

On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the Higher Education and Workforce investment Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss reauthorizing the National Apprenticeship Act. The National Apprenticeship Act, originally passed in 1937, will be amended to expand the apprenticeship system to include broader forms of apprenticeship programs. This discussion is centered around how to modernize the Act and bring apprenticeships into the 21st century.  

NECA’s Look Ahead: Preserving these valued apprenticeship programs is a priority. NECA continues to work closely with legislators while this bill is being shaped.

2. NLRB Chairman and General Counsel to Testify Regarding Funding     

Next week, the Chairman and General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board are scheduled to testify before the House Appropriations committee. This hearing is anticipated to be contentious with lawmakers inquiring as to the reasons behind the Trump Administration’s request to lower the board’s funding by 10%. At the same time, the NLRB’s regional offices are plagued with under-employment and the board itself is dogged with hearings and legal challenges over ethical conflicts of interest.

NECA’s Look Ahead: While historically the National Labor Relations Board has been a contentious and often politicized place, this hearing is expected to highlight the new level of dysfunction that now riddles the Board. NECA believes that lawmakers should continue to fully fund the NLRB and encourage their leadership to expedite the hiring of their regional offices.

3. Congress Passes Coronavirus Funding Bill

On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, Congress passed a NECA-supported bill, H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.

NECA’s Look Ahead: This bill addresses the critical funding issues surrounding the U.S. response to the Coronavirus outbreak. The bill includes the following:

  • $4 billion to make diagnostic tests more broadly available

  • $2.2 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a robust response, including:

    • $1 billion exclusively for state and local response efforts
    • $300 million for CDC’s Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund
    • $20 million to administer disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by the virus.
    • $1.25 billion for the State Department and (USAID)
    • $264 million to evacuate Americans and maintain consular operations overseas




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NECA Legislative Top Three 3/13/20: USDOL Preserves Gold Standard Construction Apprenticeships

1. NECA Helps Secure Construction Industry Exemption in Final IRAP Rule

On March 10, 2020, the Department of Labor released the final rule of the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAP) regulation. The final rule contains a permanent construction industry exemption, thereby protecting our industry from participation in IRAPs. NECA released a statement thanking the Administration for recognizing that the construction industry has longstanding expertise in the creation and execution of apprenticeships.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA strongly advocated for the construction industry’s exemption, with thousands of NECA contractors sending comments to the Department of Labor. By securing this exemption, the long-established, gold standard apprenticeship model that NECA Contractors utilize will remain intact and not be subjected to these parallel programs which will operate with less scrutiny and limited educational requirements.

2. The House Introduces Legislation to Address COVID-19 Outbreak

Washington D.C., like the rest of the nation and world, is responding to the outbreak of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus). On the evening of March 11, President Trump addressed the nation live from the  Oval Office. On Capitol Hill, negotiators continue to work to find a compromise between competing coronavirus response bills.

NECA’s Look Ahead: In response to the crisis, the Senate plans to cancel a previously scheduled recess week. The House will gavel out today and will return to Washington D.C. on March 23, 2020 to finish the negotiations on a final response package. NECA CEO, David Long, released the following statement in response to the legislative and regulatory negotiations: “ NECA government affairs remains fully engaged with Members of Congress, the Department of Labor, and OSHA on how to best handle the COVID-19 outbreak with safety being a top concern for our contractors and their employees. We continue to monitor legislation coming out of Congress to address the economic impact of this outbreak and will inform our contractors on how to best work with the new regulations when they are finalized.”

3. NLRB Chairman Testifies Regarding Funding      

On March 11, 2020, the House Committee on Appropriations held a hearing on the National Labor Relations Board Budget Request for FY 2021. Testifying on behalf of the NLRB was the Honorable John Ring, Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB budget request and justification documents can be found here.

NECA’s Look Ahead: The NLRB’s FY 2021 budget request funds their mission to protect the rights of employees, unions, and employers under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). NECA believes that lawmakers should continue to fully fund the NLRB and encourage their leadership to expedite the hiring of their regional offices.




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NECA Legislative Top Three 4/24/20: Congress Shores up PPP Funding, Phase IV Next Up

1. Congress Passes Legislation to Increase Funding for PPP

On April 23, 2020, the House passed, in a 388 to 5 vote, the Senate Amendment to H.R. 266 – Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was passed in the Senate by unanimous consent on April 21, 2020. NECA advocated for additional funding and are confident that this amendment will continue to help NECA contractors keep their employees on payroll during this crisis.

NECA’s Look Ahead: The NECA-supported bill is expected to be signed into law by the President immediately. A detailed section by section summary can be found here. NECA has also compiled some FAQs on this loan program. NECA is continuing to work with congressional leaders on upcoming Phases of COVID-19 response bills. A major Phase IV bill is expected sometime in May.

2. NECA Weighs in on Main Street Lending Program

A group of congressional allies sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Vice Chairman for Supervision of Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Randal Quarles, requesting the inclusion of S corporations, LLCs, and partnerships in utilizing the Main Street lending facilities announced by Treasury and the Federal Reserve. 

NECA’s Look Ahead: The letter was organized in response to a coalition letter, which NECA supported, to Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Texas) on the issue. NECA will update its members once we have received a formal response from the Department of the Treasury.

3. Register Today for the Upcoming Government Affairs Webinar

On May 5, 2020 at 2PM ET, NECA’s Government Affairs team will brief participants on NECA’s requests for Congress in the Phase IV coronavirus response legislation, then participants can take action and send a letter to their Member of Congress requesting help for the electrical construction industry to remain viable during this crisis. Participants will also hear messages from key Members of Congress on the current legislative response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Register Today! 




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NECA Legislative Top Three 5/1/20: Senate Returns to Washington

1. Senators Release Water Infrastructure Legislation

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, chaired by Senator John Barrasso (R-Wy.) and Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.), released two NECA-supported water infrastructure bills, the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 (AWIA 2020) and Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020.

NECA’s Look Ahead: These bipartisan bills address the critical need to secure water infrastructure. The are successor bills to the NECA-supported America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 that easily passed through Congress and was signed into law in 2018. NECA will continue to monitor this important legislation as it moves through Congress.

  • Read the section-by-section of the draft AWIA 2020 here.
  • Read the section-by-section of the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act here.

2. Senate Returns to Washington Next Week

The Senate is scheduled to return to D.C. on Monday, May 4, 2020, to begin filling judicial vacancies and continue work on new coronavirus legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), released the following statement on this decision. The House has decided to postpone returning until further notice. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is expected to release an anticipated return date soon.  

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA looks forward to the Senate being in session to work on additional coronavirus legislation. The government affairs team continues to advocate on behalf of our contractors during this period.

3. Register Today for the Upcoming Government Affairs Webinar

On May 5, 2020 at 2 p.m. EDT, NECA’s Government Affairs team will brief participants on NECA’s requests for Congress in the Phase IV coronavirus response legislation. During this webinar, participants can take action and send a letter to their Member of Congress requesting help for the electrical construction industry to remain viable during this crisis. Participants will also hear messages from key Members of Congress on the current legislative response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Register Today!

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA is committed to ensuring the voices of our industry are heard during this time. We continue to advocate for the needs our contractors daily and remain devoted to keeping our members well informed on the policies impacting them.  




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Google Maps Adds Sharing Feature With Lists

Google Maps has added a sharing feature. You can track your favorite places and share them with your friends.

Read more on howtoweb.com




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Reddit Disables Start Chatting Shortly After Launch

Reddit has disabled its Start Chatting features shortly after launching the new chat product.

Read more on howtoweb.com




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Tokyo Game Show 2020 cancelled amid coronavirus pandemic

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, September's Tokyo Game Show 2020 has been cancelled, organizers announced Thursday. ...




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Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom: Which Tool Should I Use and When?

As we trudge through a time of working from home utilizing various isolation strategies, more employees are getting familiar with the technology tools their employers have deployed to help them do their jobs. Having a better understanding of these tools… Read More

The post Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom: Which Tool Should I Use and When? appeared first on Anders CPAs.




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New $484 Billion Stimulus Package Replenishes PPP and Offers Relief for Hospitals and Businesses

President Trump recently signed a new coronavirus relief bill into law that will help replenish the depleted Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), among other initiatives. Below are the details of the relief package.
Details of the New Bill
The new relief… Read More

The post New $484 Billion Stimulus Package Replenishes PPP and Offers Relief for Hospitals and Businesses appeared first on Anders CPAs.